Bull case
SOJE would need investors to value it at roughly 8x earnings — about 4x more generous than today's 4x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
Wall Street verdict, consensus price target, and analyst rating breakdown — everything needed to frame the risk/reward at today's price.
Three scenarios for where SOJE stock could go
SOJE would need investors to value it at roughly 8x earnings — about 4x more generous than today's 4x forward P/E. That requires meaningful multiple expansion on top of continued earnings growth.
At 4x on FY1 earnings, the base case reflects a reasonable but not stretched valuation. It prices in continued growth without assuming an exceptional setup.
If investor confidence fades or macro conditions deteriorate, a 2x multiple contraction could push SOJE down roughly 62% from where it trades now.
Not financial advice. Model confidence reflects internal scenario assumptions, not a guarantee of returns. Past performance does not predict future results.

Southern Company is a major regulated electric utility holding company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity primarily across the southeastern United States. It makes money through regulated utility operations — which provide stable revenue from ratepayers in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi — supplemented by wholesale power sales through its Southern Power segment and natural gas distribution in several states. Its key advantage is its regulated monopoly status in its core service territories, providing predictable cash flows and high barriers to entry.
Quarterly beat-or-miss track record against analyst estimates, plus forward revenue and EPS outlook for the next two fiscal years.
| Quarter | EPS (Actual / Est) | EPS Surprise | Revenue (Actual / Est) | Rev Surprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | $1.21/$1.20 | +0.8% | $7.8B/$7.2B | +8.7% |
| Q3 2025 | $0.79/$0.88 | -9.3% | $7.0B/$6.4B | +9.6% |
| Q4 2025 | $1.54/$1.51 | +2.0% | $7.8B/$7.6B | +2.7% |
| Q1 2026 | $0.55/$0.56 | -1.4% | $7.0B/$6.1B | +14.5% |
SOJE beat EPS estimates in 2 of 4 tracked quarters. Mixed delivery makes the upcoming report a key data point for re-rating.
Product and geographic revenue mix from the latest annual disclosure, with year-over-year growth by segment.
Latest annual revenue by segment or product family
Tap, hover, or focus a slice to inspect segment detail.
Latest annual revenue by reported region
Current multiples compared to the S&P 500, the company's sector, and its own five-year average.
Fair value est. $73 — implies +323.0% from today's price.
| Metric | SOJE | S&P 500 | Utilities | 5Y Avg SOJE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward PE | 3.8x | 19.1x-80% | 17.2x-78% | — |
| Trailing PE | 4.4x | 25.2x-83% | 19.7x-78% | 6.3x-30% |
| PEG Ratio | 0.75x | 1.75x-57% | 1.73x-56% | — |
| EV/EBITDA | 6.3x | 15.3x-59% | 11.5x-46% | 7.9x-21% |
| Price/FCF | — | 21.3x | 15.4x | 25.0x |
| Price/Sales | 0.7x | 3.1x-79% | 2.2x-70% | 0.8x-21% |
| Dividend Yield | 15.75% | 1.88% | 3.07% | 13.80% |
Forward P/E and PEG reflect analyst consensus estimates. Historical averages use trailing ratios where forward data is unavailable.S&P 500 and sector benchmarks both use trailing median P/E — similar readings indicate the broader index and sector are priced alike.
Open valuation toolSOJE earns 24.6% operating margin on regulated earnings, 15.8% dividend yield. Utilities carry higher leverage than industrials as a structural feature of the business model.
Revenue, regulated margins, and earnings
ROIC, leverage, and debt serviceability
Regulated utilities typically operate at 3–5× net debt/FCF — this is structural, not a risk flag.
How capital is returned to owners
All figures from the trailing twelve months. Utilities operate with structural leverage (3–5× net debt/FCF) due to regulated, predictable cash flows.
Open full ratios pageKey factors that could pressure the stock price, compress the multiple, or weigh on future results.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
Key executives at Southern Company have sold $27.5 million worth of shares over the past year, while only purchasing $10.6 million. This significant open-market selling may indicate negative sentiment from those within the company.
The near and mid-term market sentiment for Southern Company is weak, which could negatively impact its long-term outlook. This prevailing sentiment may lead to increased selling pressure on the stock.
Southern Company relies heavily on debt financing for its capital-intensive projects. Rising interest rates could significantly increase borrowing costs, adversely affecting the company's profitability.
There are elevated downside risks for Southern Company due to a lack of additional long-term support signals. This absence of support could lead to further declines in stock price.
As a utility company, Southern Company is subject to various regulatory changes and environmental regulations. Shifts in energy demand and technology can also impact its operations and profitability.
The stock's Sharpe ratio over the past five years is -1.1560, indicating below-average performance compared to its peers. This metric suggests that the stock has not provided adequate returns relative to its risk.
While Southern Company generally exhibits controlled movements and good liquidity, there can be daily price fluctuations. These fluctuations may introduce a level of risk for short-term investors.
These are risk mechanisms, not predictions. The key question is which would force a cut to earnings estimates or a lower multiple than the market currently prices in.
Structural drivers behind the upside case and why the stock could outperform over the next 12 months.
AI analysis · updated April 29, 2026
SOJE offers a consistent annual dividend of $1.05 per share, translating to a yield of approximately 5.97%. This reliable income stream makes it an attractive option for income-seeking investors.
32 analysts have set a 12-month price target for SOJE, averaging $18.63 USD, which suggests a potential upside of about 6.31% from the current price of $17.52 USD. Some analysts have even established higher targets, with the highest being $21.61 USD.
As a holding company in the essential utilities sector, Southern Company benefits from the stability associated with this industry. The consistent demand for electricity helps the company perform relatively well even during economic downturns.
Recent technical analyses have indicated favorable signals, with moving averages generating buy signals from both short and long-term perspectives. A buy signal was also issued from a pivot bottom point in late March 2026, contributing to a price increase.
One analysis highlights an exceptional risk-reward potential of 13.6:1, targeting a 3.9% gain with only a 0.3% risk. This attractive setup suggests a compelling opportunity for investors.
A real bull case compounds — each driver matters most when it strengthens margins, supports capital returns, and keeps the company above the market's minimum growth bar simultaneously.
52-week range context and price returns across multiple time horizons. Dividend contribution is shown separately in the Capital Return section.
Range context matters because valuation compression and earnings misses rarely hit from the same starting point. A stock already far below its high can still fall, but it is no longer carrying the same embedded optimism as one pressing a fresh peak.
Valuation, growth, and margin comparison against the closest publicly traded peers for this company.
| Company | Mkt Cap | Fwd PE | Rev Grw | Margin | Rating | Upside |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOJ SOJE Southern Company (The) Series 2 | $19.3B | 3.8x | +6.4% | 14.7% | — | — |
NEE NEE NextEra Energy, Inc. | $198.9B | 23.6x | +9.1% | 29.3% | Buy | +2.9% |
DUK DUK Duke Energy Corporation | $97.7B | 18.7x | +2.4% | 15.4% | Hold | +7.9% |
D D Dominion Energy, Inc. | $54.2B | 17.2x | +5.7% | 13.5% | Hold | +7.5% |
AEP AEP American Electric Power Company, Inc. | $72.0B | 20.9x | +6.3% | 16.5% | Buy | +2.8% |
EXC EXC Exelon Corporation | $46.1B | 15.8x | +3.7% | 11.2% | Hold | +9.2% |
This peer comparison reflects companies with similar business models, product lines, or market positioning, supplemented by industry grouping when direct matches are limited.
SOJE returns 15.8% total yield, led by a 15.75% dividend.
Yield, cadence, and growth quality
How much per-share support comes from repurchases
| Year | Div / Share | YoY Grw | BB Yield | Total Yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.53 | — | — | — |
| 2025 | $1.05 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 15.3% |
| 2024 | $1.05 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 14.2% |
| 2023 | $1.05 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 13.9% |
| 2022 | $1.05 | -7.0% | 0.0% | 15.5% |
Common questions answered from live analyst data and company financials.
Southern Company (The) Series 2 (SOJE) has limited published analyst coverage at this time. The model scenario range runs from $7 to $37 around a current price of $17. Use the scenario targets and valuation multiples on this page as a guide.
SOJE trades at 3.8x times forward earnings. The stock currently trades at a discount to the broader market. Based on current multiples versus the peer group, the relative model signals significantly undervalued. Whether the stock is over or undervalued ultimately depends on whether consensus earnings estimates are achievable.
The primary risks for SOJE in 2026 are: (1) Insider Selling — Key executives at Southern Company have sold $27. (2) Market Sentiment — The near and mid-term market sentiment for Southern Company is weak, which could negatively impact its long-term outlook. (3) Interest Rate Sensitivity — Southern Company relies heavily on debt financing for its capital-intensive projects. Each factor has the potential to pressure earnings or compress the stock's valuation multiple.
Analyst consensus estimates SOJE will report consensus revenue of $31.4B (+6.4% year-over-year) and EPS of $4.28 (+9.2% year-over-year) for the upcoming fiscal year. The following year, analysts project $33.5B in revenue.
A confirmed upcoming earnings date for SOJE is not yet available. Check the Earnings section above for the most recent quarterly report dates and forward estimates.
Southern Company (The) Series 2 (SOJE) had a free cash outflow of $3.3B in free cash flow over the trailing twelve months — a free cash flow margin of 11.1%. SOJE returns capital to shareholders through dividends (15.8% yield) and share repurchases ($0 TTM).